Sharon Schweitzer, an international etiquette expert, author, and the founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, offers these tips for getting dad the perfect gift:
Possible Gifts for Dad:
Consider the three P’s to guide your gift giving: Practical, Personalized, and Perfect.
Practical Gifts: Is your father figure practical? Go for the gift that won’t get tossed in a closet or re-gifted. Talk to your dad about his needs or communicate with family members. Contribute toward a group gift he will truly love, for example:
• Business and casual clothing
• Restaurant gift certificates to his favourite place
• Hobby accessories (paints and art supplies, how-to books)
Personalized Gifts: Go the extra mile to highlight his name, family crest or favorite team:
• Engraved Watch
• Personalized Glassware, Flask or Beer Growler
• Sports Team Wine Stoppers
Perfect Gifts: Find the gift that quintessentially represents your dad or his future goals. Where does he want to go? What’s on his list? A perfect gift for your father:
• New sports equipment: golf club, fishing rod, tennis racket
• A fly-fishing or deep-sea trip he wants
• Concert tickets to his favourite band
For the active dad:
• Surprise dad with a round of golf at his favourite course, or take him to a new course.
• Live near a body of water? Head to the bay, ocean, lake or stream with dad and spend hours catching bass and trout.
• If he is really adventurous, offer to take him on a hike or pack up the gear and head out to the wilderness for a weekend camping trip.
For the creative dad:
• Go to that new movie he’s wanted to see for weeks now. Want something upscale? Buy tickets to a luxury theatre that offers more than popcorn and nachos.
• Explore a new site together. Whether it’s a museum, restaurant, or park.
• Attend a BBQ class together. You can learn how to grill, roast or bbq then enjoy a well-earned meal together.
• Set up two blank canvases in the garage or yard and get to work! Splatter paints on the canvas with different colors for a fun night, while creating the next Picasso!
For the fun-loving dad:
• Grab tickets and take dad to the ballpark. Sporting events are bonding experiences.
• Go to a race track with the thrill seeker. There’s plenty to do and a ton of fun to be had!
• Live music is around every corner! Check your community calendar for concerts.
For the helping-hand father:
• If your father is passionate about a local or national non-profit, volunteer to join him and experience why he enjoys it so much. Not only will you bond, but you will feel good.
• On a nice day, plant new vegetables together in his garden. This is beneficial for both your relationship and your health.
• Tackle a big project together (shed, fort, new deck). Anything unfinished on his “to-do list.” This long-term project will keep you connected and working together for months.
How much to spend:
• All Dad’s want on Father’s Day is your love and appreciation, but it doesn’t hurt to get them a nice gift. Anything from about $25 and up will be meaningful and your Dad will enjoy anything as long as it comes from you.
Hosting breakfast/dinner/get-togethers:
• Whether you make a reservation at a favourite dine-in, or prepare his favourite meal, make it a memorable experience that honours the family’s father figures.
• If it’s a multi-generational meal, prepare one favourite food for each father figure; ask in advance what they would like to enjoy on their special day.
• Let dad kick back while you make preparations. Set him up with his favourite movie or magazine to enjoy while you take care of the meal.
• Seat the fathers and father figures at the head of the table or if they are a little hard of hearing, in the middle of the table which are both places of honour in different parts of the world.
Before the meal begins, thank everyone for attending and recognize the dads and fatherly figures for their invaluable family contributions.
